Keep Your Foundation Strong

Considering a major renovation to your home? When discussing the project with your partner, acknowledge any personal friction that may arise between the two of you during the undertaking.

A survey conducted by Houzz, a leading platform for home remodeling and design, discovered that while 46 percent of respondents found the experience of remodeling and redecorating with their significant other to be collaborative, the same amount of survey respondents found the experience to be frustrating, and 12 percent even admitted to considering a separation or divorce mid-remodel! Here are some tips to calm the stress of remodeling, and focus instead on the enjoyment you have to look forward to in your beautiful new home.

• Be upfront with your ideas and reasons for renovating.

• Allocate tasks according to each person's strengths and preferences.

• Recognize that you'll need to show some flexibility along the way, so communicate your "must-haves" up-front, together with areas where you're more open to compromise.

• Agree on a budget, and prioritize where the money will be allocated.

• Promise to communicate throughout the project, and not to take opinions personally.

Of course, there are times when remodeling won't solve your home requirements, or when the cost of the project outweighs the benefits.

Please call so we can talk through your home wants and needs, and discuss moving options that will provide the lifestyle you're looking for without the stress, cost and time that a major remodel would entail.